Homogonane derivatives



United States Patent 3,505,393 HOMOGONANE DERIVATIVES Eugene E. Galantay, Morristown, N.J., assignor to Sandoz Inc., Hanover, NJ.

No Drawing. Continuation-impart of applications Ser. No. 566,730, July 21, 1966, and Ser. No. 603,160, Dec. 20, 1966. This application Apr. 13, 1967, Ser. No. 630,496

Int. Cl. C07c 171/02 US. Cl. 260-479 17 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE 13fi-(lower alkyl)-B-(6)-homogonenes have been found to possess properties useful for fertility control and in the therapy of menopausal problems. They are also useful for growth stimulation, post-operative recovery and healing of wounds and burns.

This is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 566,730 filed July 21, 1966, now abandoned, and of application Ser. No. 603,160 filed Dec 20, 1966.

This invention relates to B-(6)-homogonane derivatives of the formula wherein any hydrogen atom bound to C C14, and/or C is in the a-position; any hydrogen atom bound to C and/or C is in the B-position;

R is either a hydrogen atom (-H), carboxylic acid acyl having from 2 to 4 carbon atoms, e.g. acetyl, propionyl and butyryl or R R is lower alkyl, e.g. methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl and butyl; or cycloalkyl having from 5 to 7 ring carbon atoms, e.g, cyclopentyl;

Ring B has at least one unsaturated carbon atom (C and Rings C and D are either saturated or unsaturated;

processes and intermediates employed in the preparation thereof and pharmaeeutically acceptable compositions containing them.

ice

The unsaturation in the remainder of the structure of compounds I is dependent to some extent on the saturation of the carbon atoms which form Ring A. Preferred compounds wherein Ring A is in form a are those which are otherwise saturated, have A have A804) or have A preferred compounds wherein Ring A is in form b are those which are otherwise saturated, have A or have A and preferred compounds wherein Ring A is in either form c or form d are those which otherwise are saturated or have A The compounds of this invention are named from the parent steroid hydrocarbon Gonane (or Sterane) The individual rings of the depicted structure are designated, from left to right, A, B, C and D, as indicated in Formula I. In the structures of the compounds to which the present invention is directed there is an additional carbon atom in one of the rings; the compound is thus called a homogonane derivative. The fact that the additional carbon is in the B-ring makes it, more specifically, a B-homogonane. In order to specify that said additional carbon atom is interposed between C and O, -(as opposed to, e.g., between C and C the compounds are designated as B-(6)-homogonanes. In practice it is unnecessary to include the (6) in the name, but it is understood that all of the subject homosteroids are so restricted. Each of the homosteroids of this invention additionally has at least one double bond; it is therefore a B-(6)-homogon-(monoor poly-)ene, hereinafter referred to generically as a B-(6)-homogonene.

Each compound I is unsubstituted in both the 5- and 10- position and is either an optically active isomer or a mixture of two such isomers, including racemates which consist of a levorotary and the corresponding dextrorotary form (enantiomers) in 1:1 proportion. Totally synthetic preparation of compounds I results in raoernates which are separated into their enantiomers by resolution according to well-established procedures known to those skilled in the art. Usually only one of the optically active forms exerts useful biological activity, i.e. the form in which C has the same absolute configuration as, e.g., in estrone or in other naturally-occurring steroids. It is thus advantageous to separate said form from its enantiomer to obtain aproduct having a greater activity.

Compounds I are useful in the treatment of female hypogonanadism, endometriosis, amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea, functional uterine bleeding, acne, osteoporosis, infertility and habitual abortion. They are also useful in achieving ovulation block, pregnancy maintenance, nitrogen retention, growth stimulation, post-operative recovery, healing wounds and burns lipid shifting and lowering of the blood cholesterol level. They are particularly useful for fertility control and the therapy of menopausal problems. They are also intermediates for preparing compounds with the indicated utilities.

Compounds I are administered to mammals daily (or in long-acting preparations) in standard dosage forms, e.g. in tablets or capsules perorally or in oily solutions, emulsions or suspensions subcutaneously or intramuscularly.

Daily doses range from 0.001 to 1.2 mg./kg. of body weight, e.g. 0.05 to 80 milligrams.

Each of the pharmaceutically active compounds of this invention may be, e.g., incorporated, for oral administration, in a tablet as the sole active ingredient. A typical tablet is constituted by from 1 to 3 percent binder, e.g. tragacanth; from 3 to percent disintegrating agent, e.g. corn starch; from 2 to 10 percent lubricant, e.g. talcum; from 0.25 to 1.0 percent lubricant, e.g. magnesium stearate; an average dosage of active ingredient; and q.s. 100 percent of filler, e.g. lactose; all percentages being by weight. Tablets are prepared according to standard tabletting techniques, which are well-known in the art, employing the necessary amounts of conventional granulating liquids, e.g. alcohol SD30 and purified water. An exemplary tabletting formulation for the instant active compound is:

Parts Title compound of Example .25 Tragacanth 2 Lactose 89.25

Corn starch 5 Talcum 3 Magnesium stearate 0.5

Alcohol SD-30 q S Purified water Among the compounds of the present invention, 3- methoxy 13(lower alkyl)-B-homogona-1,3,5(l0),8,l4- pentaen-l7-ones V are prepared according to CHQO 2-methoxy-6,7,8,9-tetrahydro 5H benzocyclohepten- 5-one [1. Chem. Soc., 990 (1966)] II is reacted with a vinylmagnesium halide to yield 2-methoXy-5-vinyl-6,7,8,9- tetrahydro-SH-benzocyclohepten-S-ol III. (Other Z-loweralkoxy counterparts are obtained from corresponding starting materials.) III is subsequently reacted with a 2-(lower alkyl)-cycl0penta-l,3-dione [BulL Soc. Chim. France, 1036 (1955)] in moderately acid (acetic acidxylene) or basic (triethylenediamine-xylene) media under reflux; thus-prepared 3-methoXy-8,l4-seco-13-(lower alkyl -B-homogona-1,3,5( l0) ,8 [and/ or 9(11) ]-tetraene- 14,17-dione IV is cyclized with acid, e.g. p-toluenesulfonic acid in boiling benzene and hydrochloric acid in methanol, at from to 60, or polyphosphoric acid, to obtain compounds V.

Other compounds of this invention can be prepared flrlom \f/, by the following modifications or combinations t ereo Scheme Reduction or alkylation of the l7-oxo group B Reduction or hydrogenation of the double bonds in Demethylation of the 3-methoxy group, followed, if

desired, by realkylation or acylation D Reduction of the aromatic ring A by the so-called Birch method, followed by hydrolysis of the thusforrned enol ether E Introduction of a A double bond in products obtained according to Scheme E, by bromination-dehydrobromination (or other dehydrogenation methods) F Step b is reduction (by sodium borohydride or lithium aluminum hydride) when R =H; it is a reaction with R -MgCl, R -MgBr, tR -Li, R -Na or R -K when R is other than H.

Step b is the reversal of step 5 and is effected, in cases where R =H, by oxidation methods employing chromicsulfuric acid in acetone (Jones method), chromic acid in pyridine or aluminurn-isopropoXide-cyclohexanone (Oppenauer method).

R3 R2 R1 i 1] l R3 2 0 i t I n 02 H 01130 VII c1130 Step 0 is catalytic reduction, preferably using a palladium/calcium carbonate or Raney nickel catalyst, in dioxane or benzene solvent.

Steps c and 0 are reductions with lithium sodium or potassium in liquid ammonia in the presence of aniline or pyrrole as a proton source.

For carrying out steps c; to 0 it is preferred to select compounds VI and VII with R and R substituents which would, themselves, not be changed under the conditions employed in said steps.

SCHEME D Step d is demethylation effected by, e g., molten pyridin; hydrochloride, boron tribromide or hydrogen bromi e.

Step ri is alkylation, cycloalkylation or acylation.

Again, it is preferred to select, for steps d and d compounds of the present invention which, under the conditions employed in those steps, would not undergo changes additional to those occurring at the R O-groups.

A I 01130 I 9 B-homogona- 2,5 10) -dien-l7-one 3-cycloheptyloxy-13,B-methyl 3-butoxy- 1 3fi-ethyl 3-cyclopentyloxy-1 3B-isopropy1 3-ethoxy-13B-methyl B-homogona- 2,5 10) ,8 14) -trien-17/3-ol 3-methoxy-135-methyl 1 3 fi-ethyl-3 -methoxy 13 ,8, 17a-diethyl-3-methoxy 17u-ethynyl-3-methoxy-13 8-methyl 17a-chlorethynyll 313-ethyl-3-n1ethoxy B-homogona- 2,5 10) ,8 14)-trien-17-one 1 3 B-isopropyl-3-methoxy 3-meth0xy-13B-methyl l7B-hydroxy-B-homogon- 4-en-3-one 13,3-methyl 13 ,3, l7u-diethy1 B-homogon- 4-ene-3,17dione 13 fi-methyl 1 3/8-ethy1 13 fi-isopropyl 13 fl-propyl B-homogon- 4-en-3-one 17a-allyl-17,8-decanoyloxy-13,8-methyl 17u-fluorethynyl-1 3 8-isopropyll 7 8- pentadecanoyloxy 17 fi-hydroxy-B-homogona- 4,8 14 -dien3-one 13 B-methyl 13 B-ethyl- 17a-ethynyl 1313-ethyl-1 7u-propyl B-homogona- 4,8 14 -diene-3, 17-dione 13 B-methyl 13 B-ethyl 13 fl-propyl 13/3-isopropyl 17 fi-hydroxy-B -homogon a- 4,8 14) ,9-trien-3-one 13;3-methyl l3fl-ethyl-17a-ethynyl 13 B-ethyl-l 7a-propynyl 17a-ethyl-13B-methyl 17a-fluorethynyl-13fl-methyl 13 8-isopropy1 B-homogona- 4,8 14 ,9-triene-3,17-dione 13 B-methyl 13 fi-ethyl 13 fl-isopropyl 13 fi-propyl 1 0 B-homogona- 4,8 14) ,9-trien-3-one 17a-butyl-175-dodecanoyloxy-13p-isopropyl 17a-ethynyl-13 3-isopropyl-17fl-octadecanoyloxy 17,8-hydroxy-B-homogona- 4,9-dien-3-one 13fi-methyl 13,8-ethyl B-homogona- 4,9-diene-3,17-dione 1 3 fi-ethyl 13 B-isopropyl B-homogona- 4,9-dien-3-one 1 3 fl-ethyl-l 7u-iSO prop yl- 1 7 fi-undecanoyloxy 1 3p-methyl-17,8-nonadecanoyloxy-17a-vinvl l7b-hydroxy-B-homogon- 5 (10)-en-3-one 13/i-methyl 13 B-ethyl 1 7a-ethynyl-13 8-methyl 17 a-chlorethynyl- 13 8-isopropyl B-homogon- 5 10)-ene-3,17-dione l 3 3-ethyl 13,8-methyl 1 3 p-isopropyl B-hornogon- 5 (10)-en-3-one 17a-isopropyl-13fi-methyl-17,8-tridecanoyloxy 17/3-hydroxy-B-homogona- 5(10),8(14)-dien-3-one 13 fi-methyl 13 ,B-ethyll7u-ethynyl 17a-fluorethyny1-13B-isopropy1 1 3 ,B-methyl- 17a-vinyl B-homogona- 5 10),8 14)-diene-3,17-dione 1 3 ,B-methyl l 3 ,8-ethyl 13,8-propyl 13fi-isopropyl All compounds within the scope of this invention are prepared from available, i.e compounds which are either known per se or are prepared from known compounds by analogy procedures within the skill of the art, starting materials and/or intermediates.

The examples which follow are merely illustrative of the invention, all temperatures being in degrees centigrade, the parts and percentages being by weight unless otherwise specified and the relationship between parts by weight and parts by volume being the same as that between the kilogram and the liter.

Unless stated otherwise, reaction mixtures obtained as specified in the examples are worked up in the following manner: the mixture obtained from the chemical reaction is distributed between water and a solvent, e.g. benzene, ethyl acetate and chloroform, which is not miscible with water. (If solvents miscible with water are used in the reaction, they can be partially or totally removed by vacuum evaporation from the reaction mixture prior to distribution.) The aqueous phase is then separated and further extracted with the specified solvent until practically all of the desired organic product is collected in the solvent. The unified organic solution is then washed with water or aqueous solutions, e.g. (aq) sodium hydrocarbonate and dilute (aq) hydrochloric acid, to remove, if feasible, side products. After drying over an anhydrous salt, e.g. sodium sulfate, the solution is evaporated in vacuo to give the crude product as a residue, which is purified by crystallization, recrystallization, chromatography or high-vacuum distillation. All of these are wellknown operations to the skilled in the art.

EXAMPLE 1 2-methoxy-5-vinyl-6,7,8,9-tetrahydro-5H-benzocyc1ohepten-S-ol CHQO Prepare vinyl magnesium bromide from 6.7 parts of magnesium turnings and 37.0 parts of vinyl bromide in 150 parts by volume of tetrahydrofuran (THF). Add (over a period of 30 minutes and at 30) to the resultant vinyl magnesium bromide a solution of 14.7 parts of 2-methoxy-6,7,8,9-tetrahydro 5H benzocyclohepten-S- one in 150 parts by volume of THF. Maintain the resulting mixture at room temperature (20) for 16 hours. After cooling to 5, add dropwise thereto 75 parts by volume of a saturated aqueous ammonium chloride solution and work up the thus-produced organic layer with ethyl acetate. The title compound is thus obtained as an oil.

EXAMPLE 2 (a) 3 -methoxy-l3-methyl-8,14-seco-B-homogona- 1,3 ,5 ,9( 1 1 )tetraene-14, 17 -dione (b) 3-methoxy-135-methy1-B-homogona-1,3,5 (10),8,14- pentaen-17-0ne Reflux under a Dean-Stark trap a solution of 3.48 parts of (a) and 0.2 part of p-toluenesulfonic acid in 25 parts by volume of benzene until the calculated volume of Water has collected. Wash the reaction mixture with 2 N sodium carbonate and then with water. Dry the thus-washed mixture over magnesium sulfate, filter said mixture and evaporate the filtrate. Triturate the resulting residue with diethyl ether to obtain the title compound, melting point (M.P.) 149 to 152, after recrystalliaztion from ethanol.

1 2 (c) 3-methoxyl 3 S-methyl-B-homo gona-1,3 ,5 10 ,8- tetraen-ll-one- Catalytically hydrogenate 3-methoxy-BB-methyl-B-hnmogona-1,3,5 (l0),8,l4-pentaen-17-one under the conditions described in Example 3(b) to obtain the title compound as an oil; the oxime, prepared in the usual way has 21 MP. of 183, dec.

EXAMPLE 3 (a) 3-methoxy-l3fl-methyl-B-homogona-1,3,5 (10),8,14- pentaen-l7 8-ol (b) 3-methoxy-13fl-methyl-B-homogona-1,3,5(10),8- tetraen- -01 Add 0.5 part of 3(a) to 0.15 part of palladized calcium carbonate prehydrogenated under 10 parts by volume of dioxane. Stir under an atmosphere of hydrogen and at room temperature until one mole of hydrogen is consumed. Filter oil the catalyst and evaporate the filtrate to dryness. Tn'turate the residue in petroleum ether to obtain the title compound M.P. 108 to 111; acetate M.P. 103 to 106.

(0) 3-methoxy-1 3j8-methy1B-homogona-1,3 ,5 10 trien-17p-o1 CH O Add portionwise (with stirring) 2.2 parts of sodium to 2.2 parts of 3(b) in 150 parts by volume of liquid ammonia, 40 parts by volume of THF and 15 parts by volume of aniline.

After stirring for twenty minutes add ammonium chloride, diethyl ether and water to the resultant. Separate and dry the ethereal layer and then evaporate same to obtain the title compound; acetate M.P. 117 to 120.

(d) 3-methoxy-13/3-methyl-B-homogona- 1,3 ,5 trien- 17-one Add to the stirred mixture of 3 parts of 3(c) and 6 parts of anhydrous magnesium sulfate in 150 parts by volume. of acetone, 3.6 parts by volume of Jones Reagent (8 N chromic acid-sulfuric acid solution). After 2 minutes at room temperature, add thereto 9 parts by volume of isopropyl alcohol and 6 parts of sodium hydrocarbonate. Evaporate the mixture and distribute the residue between diethylether and water. Evaporate the dried ethereal layer to obtain the title product, M.P. 78 to 82.

(e) 13,8-methyl-B-homogona-1,3,5(10),8-tetraene- 3,17fi-diol To a clear solution of 14.5 parts of 3(b) in 1000 parts by volume of liquid ammonia, 700 parts by volume of dry THF and 300 parts by volume of aniline, add 4.0 parts of lithium metal. After six hours add 35 parts of ammonium chloride to the resultant; then add thereto 500 parts by volume of water. Allow the ammonia to evaporate. Then acidify the resulting mixture to pH 1 by the addition thereto of 400 parts by volume of concentrated hydrochloric acid. Isolate the steroidal material (14.5 parts of yellow foam) by extraction with diethylether. Crystallize the title compounds, M.P. (l84)186 to 188.5 from the ether extract with 100 parts by volume of benzene. [The diacetate, M.P. 135 to 138, is prepared in the standard way.]

Evaporate to dryness the benzene mother liquor and redissolve the obtained residue in 50 parts by volume. of 95% ethanol. On maintaining the resultant at 6, 3(c), M.P. 79 to 109, precipitates. [The acetate of 3(c), M.P. 117 to 120, is prepared in the standard way.]

(f) 3-hydroxy-13B-methyl-B-homogona-1,3,5 10),8- tetraenl 7-one g) 17a-(2-butyn-1-yl)-13fl-methyl-B-homogona-1,3,5- (10) ,8-tetraene-3, 17f3-diol Following the procedure of Example 4(b), but replacing compound 4(a) with an equivalent of compound 3(f), results in the preparation, in similar manner, of the title compound, M.P. 193 to 197".

(h) 17u-methallyl-13 ,B-methyl-B-hornogona-1,3,5 10) ,8- tetraene-3,17,B-diol Following the procedure of Example 4(b), but replacing compound 4(a) with an equivalent of compound 3 (f) and replacing the butynyl bromide with an equivalent of methallyl chloride, results in the preparation, in similar manner, of the title compound, M.P. (182)184 to 187.

EXAMPLE 4 (a) 3-hydroxy- 1 3,8-methyl-B-homogona- 1,3,5 (10)-trien- 17-one Maintain a melt of 0.30 part of 3(d) and 2.2 parts of pyridine hydrochloride at 210 for 40 minutes. After cooling the resulting melt to room temperature, add water and diethylether thereto. Wash the ethereal layer several times with 2 N hydrochloric acid and water; dry same and evaporate to obtain the title compound.

1 5 (b) 171x- (Z-butyn- 1 -yl 1 3 8-methyl-B-homogona- 1 ,3,5- 10) -triene-3,17B-dio1 I l l Mix a solution of 0.970 part of 4(a) in 20 parts by volume of benzene with a solution of 0.015 part of ptoluenesulfonic acid in 8 parts by volume of benzene (both azeotropically dried). Admix 3.0 parts by volume of dihydropyran with the resultant. After 18 hours at 25", pass the resulting admixture through a column of 20.0 parts of Merck reagent alumina, and subsequently Wash the column with about 200 parts by volume of benzene. Evaporate the benzene eluates to obtain the 3-tetrahydropyranylether, M.P. (100)-103 to 116, of 4(a).

To a refluxing Grignard mixture (prepared, in the usual manner, from 0.665 part of magnesium turnings and 3.2 parts of butynyl bromide under 10 parts by volume of diethylether) add a solution of said 3-tetrahydropyranylether of 4(a) in 10 parts by volume of THF. After ten minutes of reflux, cool the refluxed material to 5 and then decompose same by slowly adding thereto 5.0 parts by volume of saturated (aq) ammonium chloride solution. Thereafter add to the resultant 1.0 part of anhydrous sodium sulfate. Filter off the solids, wash same with THF, combine the filtrate and washings and evaporate the obtained combination to dryness. Dissolve the residue (yellow gum) in 10 parts by volume of benzene, wash the obtained solution with water before adding same to a solution of 0.020 part of p-toluenesulfonic acid in 50 parts by volume of 1:1 acetone/water.

After maintaining for two hours at room temperature, concentrate the resultant admixture in vacuo to 20 parts by volume and then extract same with benzene to obtain a foam. Crystallize the foam from diethyl ether (3 parts by volume)petroleum ether (20 parts by volume) to obtain the title compound, M.P. (168)16 9 to 172.

Following the procedure of Example 4(b), but replacing the butynyl bromide with an equivalent of methallyl chloride, results in the preparation, in similar manner, of 17a-methallyl-1 3 fimethyl- B-ho-mogona-1,3,5 l) triene- 3,17fl-dio1, M.P. 85 to 87 (dec.).

EXAMPLE 3-methoxy-13fl-methyl-17e-ethynyl-B-homogona-1,3,5-

(10) ,8-tetraen-17fi-ol (jam CHQO

rate the resultant to obtain the title compound; M.P., after (a) 3-methoxy-13 8-methyl-B-homogona- 1,3,5 (10),8( l4)-tetraen17p-o1 OH -"n:

To a mixture consisting of 2300 parts by volume of distilled liquid ammonia, 452 parts by volume of aniline, 820 parts by volume of tetrahydrofuran and 34.8 parts of 3-methoxy-13fi-methyl B homogona- 1,3,5(10),8,14- pentaen-IZB-ol, within 30 minutes, 8.9 parts of lithium metal. After 5 hours at refluxing ammonia temperature, add 8.7 parts of ammonium chloride and allow the ammonia to escape. Work up the mixture with diethyl ether-benzene 1:1, remove the aniline by subsequent washings with 2 N hydrochloric acid. Evaporate to dryness the washed and dried ether-benzene solution and dissolveth'e residue (35 parts) in a mixture of 175 parts by volume of acetic anhydride and 525 parts by volume of dry pyridine. After overnight at room temperature, pour the mixture on ice (300 parts); filter the crude acetate of the title product, which separates crystalline, M.P. 89 to 94, and wash same with methanol. Stir the acetate with a mixture of 1350 parts by volume of methanol and 550 parts by volume of 5% sodium hydroxide solution at room temperature for 18 hours, filter and wash with water to obtain the title product, M.P. 96 to 99, M.P. of the (pure) acetate 91 to 935.

(b) 3-methoxy-13B-methyl-B-homogona- 1,3,5 1 0) ,8 14 -tetraen- 17-one To a solution of 3.0 parts of (a) in 120 parts by volume of acetone, add 3.6 parts by volume of 8 N chromic acid solution. The temperature rises from 25 to 36 within 5 minutes. Add 12 parts by volume of isopropyl alcohol and 6.0 parts of sodium hydrocarbonate, filter the mix ture and thoroughly wash the solids with warm chloroform. Evaporate the combined filtrates and washings to dryness and dissolve the residue in benzene (25 parts by volume); then pass same through a column of alumina. Evaporate the eluates and crystallize with petroleum ether to give the title product, M.P. 98 to 100. 3-methoxy- IB S-ethyl-B-homOgona-I,3,5(10),8(l4)-tetraen 17 one, M.P. (71) 74 to 75, is analogously prepared.

(c) 13fi-methyl B-homogona-1,3,5(10),8(14)- To a Grignard mixture prepared from 0.073 part of magnesium metal and 0.426 part of methyl iodide in 10 parts by volume of diethylether, add a solution of 0142 part of (a) in diethylether. Distill ofi the ether and maintain the residue (protected by a nitrogen atmosphere) at 160 for 45 minutes. Cool the resultant to room temperature by adding ice and water thereto. Then acidity to pH 1 with 6 N hydrochloric acid. The title compound, M.P. 98 to 120 (foaming), precipitates and is isolated by filtration.

(d) 3-hydroxy-13/3-methyl-B-homogona- 1,3,5( 10) ,8 14) -tetraen-17one Following the procedure of Example 3(f), but replacing compound 3(e) with 2.87 parts of 6(c), results in the 9 preparation of the title compound, M.P. 198 to 208 (dec.)

(e) l7a-methallyl-13B-methyl-B-homogona- 1,3,5 10),8 l4) -tetraene-3, l7 3-diol Following the procedure of Example 4(b), but replacing compound 4(a) with an equivalent of compound 6(d) and replacing the butynyl bromide with an equivalent of methallyl chloride, results in the preparation, in similar manner, of the title compound, which remains as a foam. The foam is characterized by the NMR spectrum of its 3-acetate derivative: C-methyl peaks at 69.0, 101 to 101.5 and 136 c.p.s. (6O mc., CDCl EXAMPLE 7 3-methoxy-13/3-methyll7a-ethyl-B-homogona- 1,3,5 10) ,8 14)-tetraen-17B-ol -CaHs CHQO 18 EXAMPLE 8 3-methoxy-1 3B-methyl-17a-allyl-B-homogona- 1,3,5(10),8(14)-tetraen-17B-ol To a Grignard mixture (perpared in the usual way from 2.91 parts by volume of allyl bromide, 0.740 part of magnesium and 50 parts by volume of diethyl ether) add a solution of 1.2 parts of 3-methoxy-13-methyl-B- homogona-l,3,5(l0),8(l4)-tetraen-17-one in 10 parts by volume of benzene-diethyl ether (1:1). After 30 minutes, add 60 parts by volume of xylene to the resultant and raise the temperature of the mixture, within 5 hours, to while allowing the lower-boiling solvents to distill off. After cooling to room temperature, add 120 parts by volume of saturated ammonium chloride solution and wash the organic layer with subsequent portions of water. Dry over sodium sulfate and evaporate oil the dried solution to obtain a red gum. Chromatograph the red gum on a silica gel column to obtain the title compound which, after crystallization from isopropyl alcohol, as the M.P. of 134 to 136.

EXAMPLE 9 (a) 3-methoxyl 3B-methyl-B-homogona-2,5 (10) 8 l4) -trien- -o1 To a mixture of 175 parts by volume of liquid amonia, 45 parts by volume of tert.-butanol, 450 parts by volume of tetrahydrofuran and 5.0 parts of 3-methoxy-l3fimethyl-B-homogona-l,3,5(10).8(14)-tetraen-l7fl-ol, add 0.90 part of lithium. After 1 hour at refluxing ammonia temperature, add an additional quantity of 0.45 part of lithium. After 4 hours at the same temperature add 50 parts by volume of methanol and evaporate the ammonia by the aid of a water aspirator. Thereafter add 300 parts by volume of Water and then wash the mixture with water before concentrating in vacuo until crystallization of the product starts. Filter and dry over phosphorus pentoxide to obtain the title product, M.P. 83 to 92.

(b) 17fl-hydroxy-135-methyl-B-homogona-5 10 8 14) -dien-3-one Stir a mixture of 2.8 parts of 3-methoxy-l3fl-methyl B-homogona-2,5(10),8(l4)-trien-17B-o1 in 50 parts by volume of acetic acid and 10 parts by volume of water 19 at room temperature. After 25 minutes extract the mixture with chloroform. Wash the chloroform solution with sodium hydrocarbonate solution and water; then dry same over sodium sulfate and evaporate to obtain the title product. Crystallize the title compound from petroleum ether.

() 17,3-hydroxy-l3fl-methyl-B-homogona-4,8 14) 9-trien-3 -one Treat a solution of 0.3 part of l7B-hydroxy-l3fi-methyl- B-homogona-S(10),8(14)-dien-3-one in 40 parts by volume of pyridine at 5 with 3.5 parts of pyridinium bromide perbromide. After 5 minutes dilute the mixture with water and filter the resulting precipitate. Then wash the precipitate with water. Dissolve the thus-obtained crude dibromide in 200 parts by volume of pyridine and allow the resulting solution to stand at room temperature for 2. hours. Then concentrate the mixture to about parts by volume in vacuo, dilute the concentrate with Water and obtain the crude title product by extracting the resulting mixture with methylene chloride, drying the extract and evaporating the methylene chloride solution therefrom. Crystallize the title compound from diethyl ether.

(d) l 3 ,6-methyl-B-homogona-4,8 14) ,9-trien-3-17-dione Add to a stirred mixture of 30 parts of l7B-hydroxyl3;3-methyl-B-homogona-4,8(l4),9 trien-3-one and 60 parts of anhydrous magnesium sulfate in 1500 parts by volume of actone, 36 parts by volume Jones Reagent (8 N chromic acid-sulfuric acid). After 5 minutes add 90 parts by volume of isopropyl alcohol, followed by 60 parts of sodium hydrocarbonate. Evaporate the acetone and distribute the residue between chloroform and water. Evaporate the dried chloroform solution and crystallize the residue to obtain the title compound.

EXAMPLE 10 (a) l7u-ethyl-3-methoxy-1 3 B-methyl-B-homogona- 2,S( l0) ,8 l4) -trien-l7,6-o1

Add, at --60, 4 parts of lithium to a solution of 1.10 part of 3-methoxy-l7ot-ethyl-l3fi-methyl-B-homogona-1,3, 5(10),8(14)tetraen-l7;-3-ol, 200 parts by volume of tetra hydrofuran (THF) and 400 parts by volume of liquid ammonia. After stirring the resultant for 30 minutes, add

50 parts by volume of ethanol dropwise thereto. Allow the ammonia to evaporate from the mixture. Then add water thereto to precipitate the title compound. Filter the precipitate and recrcystallize same to obtain purified title compound.

(b) 17a-ethyl-l7fi-hydroxy-13fl-methyl-B-homogona- 4,8 14) -dien-3-one Add dropwise 15 parts by volume of 6 N hydrochloric acid to a solution of 0.8 part of (a) in 40 parts by volume of 1:1 THF/ methanol. After maintaining the result ant for minutes at room temperature, dilute same with water and extract through chloroform to obtain the title compound.

EXAMPLE 11 (a) 3-methoxy-l3fi-methyl-B-homogona-L5 (10)- dien-l -01 Add 13 parts of lithium to a solution of 22.3 parts of B-methoxy-l 3 fi-methyl-B-homogona-1,3,5 10) trim-17B- ol, 700 parts by volume of liquid ammonia and 450 parts by volume of THF. Treat the resultant dropwise with parts by volume of ethanol. Evaporate the ammonia and then add ethyl acetate to the remainder. Wash and dry the ethyl acetate layer before evaporating same to dryness. Recrystallize the residue to obtain the title compound.

(b) 3-methoxy-l 3fi-methyl-B-homogona-2,S l0 dien-17-one (EH 0 i 2 1 (c) l7tx-ethynyl-l75-hydroxy-l35-methyl-5-homogon- (10)-en-3-one Add (in one portion) 12.2 parts of lithium-acetylideethylene-diamine complex to a solution of 18.6 parts of 3 rnethoxy 135 methyl B homogona 2,5(10)- dien-17-one in 600 parts by volume of dimethyl acetamide. Pass acetylene for 2 hours (with continuous stirring) through the resulting solution. Then add 1000 parts by volume of ice water to the resultant and extract the obtained mixture with benzene. Evaporate the benzene extract to obtain 17a-ethynyl-3-methoxy-l35-methyl-B-homogona-2,5(10)-dien-l75-ol. Reflux the latter with a mixture of 50 parts of oxalic acid and 1000 parts by volume of 4:1 methanol/water to obtain the title compound.

EXAMPLE l2 17u-ethynyl-175-hydroxy-l35-methyl-5-homogon- 4-en-3-one O H ogen EXAMPLE 13 (a) 175-hydroxy-135-methyl-B-homogon-4-en-3 -one Stir for four hours at refluxing ammonia temperature a mixture of 5.4 parts of 3-methoxy-13-methyl-B-homogona-1,3,5(10)-trien-175-o1, 50 parts by volume of tetrahydrofuran, 200 parts by volume of liqu d ammonia, 50 parts by volume of tert.-butyl alcohol and 1 part of lithium metal. Add to the resultant 50 parts by volume of methanol and then allow the ammonia to evaporate. Thereafter add thereto 200 parts by volume of water prior to concentration in vacuo, whereupon the intermediary, 3 rnethoxy 135-methyl-B-homogona-2,5(l0)- dien-l75-ol, separates as an amorphous solid. Filter, wash thoroughly with water and dry said amorphous solid. Stir the thus-dried solid for 2.5 hours at room temperature with a mixture of 80 parts by volume of methanol, 8 parts by volume of water and 5 parts by volume of concentrated hydrochloric acid. Thereafter dilute the resultant with 80 parts by volume of water to separate the title compound as a solid. Purify the thus-obtained title compound by recrystallization from, e.g., diethyl etherpetroleum ether (9:1).

(b) -methyl-175-propionyloxy-B-homogon-4-en-3-one OCOCH2OH EXAMPLE 14 135,l7a-diethyl-175-hydroxy-B-homogona- 4,9-dien-3-one t CH2 Following the procedure of Example 2(a), replace the 2-methylcyclopentane-1,3-dione with an equivalent of 2- ethylcyclopentane-1,3-dione to obtain the corresponding 13 ethyl 3-methoxy-8,l4-seco-B-homog0na-1,3,5 (l0), 9 1 1 -tetraene- 14, 17-dione.

Following the procedure of Example 2(b), replace the title compound of Example 2(a) with an equivalent of the thus-obtained 13-ethyl-3-methoxy-8,l4-seco-B-h0mogona- 1,3,5(10),9(11)-tetraenel4,l7-dione to obtain 135-ethyl- 3 rnethoxy B-homogona-1,3,5(10),8,14-pentaen-17-one, M.P. (89) 91 to 92 (after recrystallization from methanol).

Following the procedure of Example 3(a), replace the title compound of Example 2(b) with an equivalent of 135 ethyl 3 rnethoxy B-homogona-1,3,5(l0),8,l4- pentaen 17 one to obtain 135 ethyl 3 methoxy-B- homogona-1,3,5(10),8,14-pentaen-175-ol.

Admix 0.07 part of acetic acid anhydride with a solution of 0.2 part of 13b-ethyl-3-methoxy-B-homogona- 1,3,5-(10),8,14-pentaen-175-ol and 3 parts by volume of pyridine. Retain the resultant at room temperature for four hours. Then pour the resulting mixture on ice water. Extract the resultant with chloroform to obtain the corresponding -acetate, M.P. 142 to 143.

Following the procedure of Example 3(b), replace the title compound of Example 3(a) with an equivalent of 135 ethyl 3 rnethoxy B -homogona-1,3,5(10),8,14- pentaen-17501 to obtain 135-ethyl-3-methoxy-B-homogona-l,3,5(10),8-tetraen-175-ol.

Following the procedure of Example 3(c), replace the title compound of Example 3(b) with an equivalent of 135 ethyl 3-methoxy-B-homogona-1,3,5(l0),8-tetraen- 175 01 to obtain 135 ethyl 3 methoxy-B-homogona- 1,3,5( 10) -trien-175 01.

Following the procedure of Example 6(b), replace the title compound of Example 6(a) with an equivalent of 135 ethyl 3 rnethoxy B homogona-l,3,5(l0)-trien- 175 01 to obtain 135 ethyl 3 methoxy-B-homogona- 1,3,5 (10) -trien-17-one.

Add 3.0 parts of 13,S-ethyl-3-methoxy-B-homogona- 1,3,5(l)-trien-17-one dissolved in 75 parts by volume of xylene to a Grignard mixture prepared from 1.23 parts of magnesium metal and 5.95 parts of ethyl bromide in 10 parts by volume of diethylether. Distill off the ether, and reflux the remainder for eighteen hours After cooling the refluxed remainder to room temperature, add saturated (aq) ammonium chloride solution thereto, and extract the resultant with chloroform to obtain 13B-17adiethyl-3-methoxy-B-homogona-1,3,5( 10) -trien-17fi-ol.

Following the procdeure of Example 9(a), replace the title compound of Example 6(a) with an equivalent of 135,170: diethyl 3 methoxy B-homogona-1,3,5(10)- trien 17 8 ol to obtain 136,17 diethyl-3-methoxy-B- homo gona-2,5( 10) -dien-175-o1.

Following the procedure of Example 9(b), replace the title compound of Example 9(a) with an equivalent of 1318,17 diethyl 3-methoxy-B-homogona-2,5(10)-dich- 175 01 to obtain 135,17 diethyl 17B hydroxy B- homogon-5( -en-3-one.

Add 0.7 part of pyridinium bromide perbromide to a solution of 0.58 part of 13,8,l7a-diethyl-1713-hydroxy-B- homogon-5(10)-en-3-one in 8 parts by volume of pyridine at 7. Pyridine hydrobromide precipitates. When the precipitation is considered to be complete, add thereto 25 parts by volume of water. Separate by filtration the resulting precipitate (consisting of an intermediary dibromo compound). Wash the latter precipitate with water and then with small amounts of ice-cold ethyl acetate. Redissolve the thus-washed precipitate in 40 parts by volume of pyridine, and maintain the resulting solution at 30 for 2 hours. Add 100 parts by volume of water to the resultant and then extract same with chloroform. Evaporate the dried chloroform solution (extract) to obtain a foam. Admix the form with diethyl ether to obtain the title compound as a colorless solid.

EXAMPLE 17u-chloroethynyl-13,8-ethyl-17p-hydroxy-B- homogona-4,8 14) ,9-trien-3-one H3 CH2 Following the procedure of Example 6(a), replace the 3 methoxy 135 methyl-B-homogona-1,3,5(10),8,14-

pentaen-l7f3-ol with an equivalent of 13B-ethyl-3-metht oxy-B-homogona-1,3,5(10),8,14-pentaen-175-ol (see Example 14) to obtain 13B-ethyl-3-methoxy-B-homogona- 1,3,5(10),8(l4)-tetraen-17 8-ol, M.P. (65)67 to 68, acetate M.P. (103 105 to 106.

Following the procedure of Example 9(a), replace the title compound of Example 6(a) with an equivalent of 135 ethyl 3 methoxy-B-homogona-l,3,5(10),8(14)- tetraen 1718 01 to obtain 135 ethyl 3 methoxy B- homogona-2,5( 10 ,8 14 -trien- 17 5-01,

Following the procedure of Example 9(b), replace the title compound of Example 9(a) with an equivalent of 13fi-ethyl-3-methoxy-B-homogona 2,5 10) ,8 14) -trien 1713-01 to obtain IBB-ethyl 17B hydroxy-B-homogona- 5(l0),8(l4)-diene-3-one.

Following the procedure of Example 9(c), replace the title compound of Example 9(b) with an equivalent of 13 fl-ethyl-17B-hydroxy-B-homogona 5(10),8(14)-dien-3 one to obtain 13fl-ethyl 175 hydroxy-B-homogona- 4,'8( 14 ,9-trien-3-one.

Following the procedure of Example 9(d), replace the 24 title compound of Example 9(0) with an equivalent of 13 ,B-ethyl- 17,8-hydroxy-B-homogona 4,8 14) ,9-trien-3 one to obtain 13fi-ethyl-B-homogona 4,8(14),9-triene- 3,17-dione.

Add, at -60, a solution of 0.7 part of trans-1,2-dichloroethylene in 2.0 parts by volume of diethyl ether to a sodamide mixture prepared from 0.3 part of sodium and 20 parts of liquid ammonia. Maintain the resulting admixture at the reflux temperature of ammonia and add thereto a solution of 2.9 parts of 13fi-ethyl-B-homogona- 4,8(14),9-triene-3,17-dione and 15 parts by volume of THF.

After minutes, at -30 pour the resultant into a mixture of ammonium chloride and ice, extract with diethyl ether, wash the ethereal extracts with dilute hydrochloric acid, aqueous sodium hydrocarbonate and water and dry over sodium sulfate. Chromatograph in an acid-washed alumina to obtain the title compound.

What is claimed is:

1. A B-(6)-homogonene of the formula wherein R is a member selected from the group consisting of hydroxy and alkanoyloxy having from 2 to 4 atoms;

R is a member selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, propyl and isopropyl;

R is a member selected from the group consisting of hydroxy and alkanoyloxy having from 2 to 20 carbon atoms;

R is a member selected from the group consisting of a hydrogen atom, lower alkyl, lower alkenyl, lower alkynyl, chlorethynyl and fiuorethynyl;

any hydrogen bound to a member of the group consisting of C C and C is in the d-pOSitiDn, any hydrogen bound to C is in the [i-position and any double bonds in the A, B, C and D rings are selected from the group consisting of A A A and 1,3,5(10),3(14) 2. A compound of claim 1 wherein R is a member selected from the group consisting of hydroxy and acetoxy; R is a member selected from the group consisting of methyl and ethyl; R is hydroxy; and R is a member selected from the group consisting of allyl and 2-butyn-lyl and having unsaturation selected from the group consisting of A and Aliafiflomui).

3. The compound of claim 2 which is 17u-allyl-13B- ethyl-B-homogona-1,3,5 10) -triene-3,17 3-diol.

4. A compound of claim 1 wherein each of R and R is hydroxy.

5. The compound according to claim 2 which is callyl-13B-ethyl-B-homogona 1,3,5 (10),8(l4) tetraene- 3,17,8-diol.

6. The compound according to claim 2 which is 1713- (2-butyn-1-yl) -13fl-methyl-B-hornogona 1,3,5 (10)-triene- 3,17;3-diol.

7. The compound according to claim 2 which is 17ot-(2-butyn-1-yl)-13/3-methyl-B-homogona 1,3,5(10), 8( l4) -tetraene-3,17fi-diol.

8. The compound according to claim 2 which is 3- acetoxy-17u-allyl-13fl-ethyl-B-homogona 1,3,5( 10) -trien- 17 8-01.

9. The compound according to claim 2 which is 3- acetoxy-17a-allyl-13fi ethyl-B-homogona 1,3,5(10),S (14 -tetraen-l7B-ol.

10. The compound according to claim 2 which is 3- acetoxy-17a-(2-butyn-1-yl) 13B methyl-B-homogona- References Cited 1,3,5(lO)-trien17fi-0l.

11. The compound according to claim 2 which is 3- UNITED STATES PATENTS acetoxy-l7a-(2-butyn-l-yl) 13,8 methyl-B-homogona- 3291836 12/1966 Tadamel' et 1, (1 fi- OTHER REFERENCES 12. The compound according to claim 4 which is 13,8- RingO1d J' Am. Chem. vol. 82, pp. 961 963 methyl-B-homogona-1,3,5( 10) ,8-tetraene-3,17,H-diol. (1960) 13. The compound according to claim 4 which is 17a- Knox et Org Chem. VOL 30, 41604165 (Z-butyn-1-yl)-13fimethyl B homogona-1,3,5(10),8- (1965 te r I1 ,17fii 1- 10 Himizu et al.Chem. Pharm. Bull. 13 (9) pp. 1145 14. The compound according to claim 4 which is 1704- 1147 (1965). methallyl-lBfi-methyl-B h0m0g0na-l,3,5(10),8-tetraene- Tomko et a1.Tetrahedron Letters No. 9 pp. 915-919 3,17fi-dio1.

15. The compound according to claim 4 which is 13/8- Tadanier]- Chem- 31, PP- 32043206 methyl-B-homogona-l,3,5(10),8(14)-tetraene-3,17B-diol. 15

16. The compound according to claim 4 Which is 17w JAMES PATTEN, Primary Examiner methallyl-lBfi-methyl B homogona 1,3,5(10),8(14)- tetraene-3,17B-diol. US. Cl. X.R.

17. The compound according to claim 4 which is 17:1- 20 26() 619, 345,9, 410,5, 488, 590, 613, 611, 410, 586; methallyl-13B-methy1- B homogona 1,3,5,(10)-triene- 424 339 34 343 311 312, 331 341 3,17fi-dio1. 

